Trolling motor troubles

[HASKELL]

i have a minn kota turbo pro 42 and after you run it for a couple of minutes it will start on-off-on-off.and so on. It does have an in line breaker but as fast as it is coming back on i dont think the breaker would have time to reset. Any ideas or do i just need to find another T.M.?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trolling motor troubles

Turn the prop by hand to check it for binding. If it turns harder than you think it should there is either a bunch of fish line wound up behind the prop (remove it and check), or the bearings are getting tight. As things tighten up (same as getting into weeds), the current draw goes up and the circuit breaker can trip. Take a test light or voltmeter with you. Connect the negative lead to the NEG post on the battery. Connect the POS lead to the motor side of the circuit breaker. When the motor begins to act up, check the voltmeter. If it is showing 12V then 0 in the same sequence as the motor, the breaker is tripping. But you should also be able to feel the breaker and even hear it cycle.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Trolling motor troubles

The more a breaker breaks, the less it takes to break it (say That 3 times fast ). They get weaker with every break. Could be that, too.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trolling motor troubles

You bet. That's called "de-rating" and it starts with the first cycle and gradually gets worse to the point where it can't handle even "normal" current flow. Breakers are cheap. You might just replace it and see if the problem goes away. BUT -- something caused it to trip the first time so the checks I mentioned are still in order.

 

[HASKELL]

Re: Trolling motor troubles

Thanks guys, I will check out the voltage. I can't hear if thr breaker is "breaking", it's in the back by the batteries under the deck but i bet thats what it is. The motor turns free and good.

 

[HASKELL]

Re: Trolling motor troubles

it was the breaker, thanks for the help